So for those of you who keep asking for my “highly intellectual, thought provoking” blogs again (were there ever any to begin with?!), I will be at it again soon 2011 has been my busiest year in real estate so far, and so I haven’t had time to stop & smell the “blogs”… Starting (literally) New Year’s Day this year, I hit the ground running, & haven’t stopped yet! Don’t get me wrong – I am so very thankful for the amazing year I’m having, and the faith that my clients have put in me to help them through this very challenging real estate market. I think I have helped as many families stay in their homes this year as move into new ones (but a lot of those too!). It makes me feel wonderful to give back to the community, and I hope to keep on giving back… I have a few new ideas of how we can come together as a community to help each other… more on that in the upcoming blogs!

So my pre-2012 New Year’s resolution is to once again give you important real estate information, mixed with some light comedy (although my kids say I’m the only one that laughs at my jokes), mixed with some great referrals, and some insight into trying to figure out this crazy real estate market!

On a very positive note (because you already know how I feel about the very negative media) – interest rates have dropped to the floor – they are the absolute lowest they’ve been in 50+ years… so if you’re looking to refi, this is definitely the time to do it! I will be posting a blog from one of my lenders by this weekend. Also, if you’re still thinking about buying, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! With rates this low, & prices this low, this is the best buyers’ market in decades… home affordability is at an all-time low.

Just my thoughts… Desiree Zuckerman, Realtor, ABR, CHS www.dzhomes.com

Rodeo Realty Estates Director 818-262-5648, 310-871-3903  desiree@dzhomes.com

Specializing in Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Bell Canyon, CA

Here’s a rebate available  for a limited time from the DWP – if you remove some of your lawn/grass, you can get a credit of up to $2,000:

Member Agencies Currently Offering Turf Removal Reservations:

• LADWP

Program Overview:

Turf grass is one of the most water-intensive plants in your landscape. Its high water and frequent maintenance needs make it a time-consuming, expensive option.

If you choose to remove some of your irrigated turf grass to reduce your outdoor water use, you can receive $1 or more per square foot of removed turf to reward you for doing your part to save water in Southern California!

In order to be eligible for a rebate, the converted area must meet minimum requirements, including:

• Converted areas may not include any live turf and must be permeable to air and water. Weed barriers and hardscape must be permeable as well.
• Exposed soil must be covered with a 2-3” layer to prevent erosion.
• No invasive plants are used.
• Consider planting a California Friendly® garden using drought tolerant and native plants that need minimal irrigation once established.

Rebates are available by reservation only. To receive your rebate:

1) Qualify through the pre-approval process, which includes an application, copy of your water bill, and submission of 4 to 5 photos of the area where turf will be removed.

2) After receiving a reservation, you must complete your turf removal project and submit your rebate request by June 30, 2011.

3) Upon approval of the request, you will receive a rebate check.

The turf removal project must not begin until you receive a reservation in order to be eligible for a rebate.

Visit the Turf Removal Program FAQs page to learn more.

Today is just a quick informational blog post. I have a personal distaste for “cold calling” – I can’t stand it when people call me to try to sell me something, so I have made a promise to NEVER cold call for Real Estate Clients. If someone wants to speak to me, they will give me permission to call them! However, I am available ANY TIME for my clients via my cell phone

So this is why I LOVE the National Do Not Call Registry… here’s the info for registering your own phone numbers… It only takes less than a minute, but boy does it make you feel good!

====================================
REMEMBER: Cell Phone Numbers Go Public this month.
REMINDER….. all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls… YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS!

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222.
It is the National DO NOT CALL list It will only take a minute of your time.. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number..

HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON .. It takes about 20 seconds.
https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx
==============================

Just my thoughts… Desiree Zuckerman, Realtor, ABR, CHS www.dzhomes.com

Rodeo Realty Estates Director 818-262-5648, 310-871-3903  desiree@dzhomes.com

Specializing in Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Bell Canyon, CA

We are hosting a FREE Home Buyer/Seller Seminar

on Tuesday, November 9th, at Monty’s Steak House.

Appetizers & Drinks are courtesy of Desiree Zuckerman.

There is NO charge, however, YOU MUST RSVP below.

We will have a number of real estate professionals there

to answer your questions in regards to buying a home in this market,

and what to do if you’re in financial trouble on your current home (ie Short Sale v Forclosure),

as well as tips to reduce to your property taxes, and loan modification information.

Please click below to find out more information, and to RSVP:

www.dzhomesblog.com (Click on the flashing “Seminar” logo).

While there, you can also read Desiree’s recent blogs.

Please leave a comment if you’d like – Desiree will personally respond to all comments & questions.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to receive FREE & INFORMATIVE real estate advice… We look forward to seeing you there!

Just my thoughts… Desiree Zuckerman, Realtor, ABR, CHS www.dzhomes.com

Rodeo Realty Estates Director 818-262-5648, 310-871-3903 desiree@dzhomes.com

Specializing in Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Bell Canyon, CA

The election is over! Phew! I don’t know about you, but I’ve had my fill of “noses growing” and “bait & switch” tactics…

I think we get enough of that every day in the real estate community! Some people will say or do anything to make a buck in real estate, and will jump at the chance to take advantage of those who are not well informed… and honestly, it’s disgusting to say the least (I’m a professional, so I’m reserving my real adjectives for my own thoughts!).

Of course, not everyone is evil… but as a consumer, you MUST verify credentials, & make sure you’re taking advice from a reputable source. With that said, I am tired of many lenders making promises that they cannot keep – just like our politicians. They promise lower rates just to get you to use them over other lenders (“vote for them”), and then once they have you, they change the terms (“don’t actually enact the legislation they guaranteed”). Then when it’s too late, and you’re ready to sign docs, you’re stuck… you voted them in, so you have to wait for the next election to vote them out! (“refinance”).

I am also tired of these so called “loan modification experts” taking advantage of the less knowledgeable (“the disenfranchised” or the “underprivileged”). Again, they promise results, but only if you pay them upfront, and then they don’t return phone calls, and often disappear (getting the picture?!). Just recently, someone came to me for help – she had paid THREE different loan modification “experts” almost $8,000 total (she could have used that money to pay for more than four months of her mortgage), and NONE of them came through for her. The last one told her they could stop the foreclosure by filing “some court documents”, and in fact, they filed bankruptcy without her knowing the ramifications – 7 to 10 years of bad credit! Shameful!

My parents are from New York… they are “old school” – your word is the only thing someone cannot take from you – if you make a promise, you keep it! It’s that simple. I have made a promise to my clients that I will fight for their rights – their right to find a way to stay in their home honestly, or an alternative way out with the least amount of damage (usually a short sale). And I do NOT charge for this – the homeowner pays nothing to me. If I cannot help, I’ve worked for FREE… If I CAN help (which most often I can), then the bank will pay my commission… it’s that simple. If anyone asks you to pay UPFRONT for any service, you should run, as fast as you can… the other way!

When you want to know the TRUTH about real estate issues, feel free to contact me… I welcome the discussion. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, you can also attend our monthly  FREE Home Buyer/Seller Seminar – click here to RSVP:

http://dzhomesblog.com/free-home-buyer-seminar/

Just my thoughts… Desiree Zuckerman, Realtor, ABR, CHS www.dzhomes.com

Rodeo Realty Estates Director  818-262-5648, 310-871-3903 desiree@dzhomes.com

Specializing in Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Bell Canyon, CA

Are you a buyer debating whether or not to jump in to the real estate market?  Or a seller having trouble deciding what to do with your current home? You’re not alone… in fact, you’re the majority. The real estate market has always been confusing to many people, but it has become even more difficult to navigate with the current financial turmoil. However, interest rates are at their all time low, so it’s a fantastic time to buy or to refinance.

The most important first step is to find a trustworthy professional to help you through this “maze”. We are providing a FREE Home Buyers Seminar the 2^nd Tuesday of every month. We will have a variety of real estate professionals in attendance to help answer your questions. This will also be an informative meeting for homeowners who are deciding whether or not to pursue a foreclosure or a short sale or other options.

You can sign up at my blog site at www.dzhomesblog.com.  We will provide appetizers & beverages, and you can provide the questions!

Here’s the weekly update from Jim Doty, VP of Tristar Mortgage, where he addresses this very issue of people “on the fence”:

“This was a big week for economic news that may give us a glimpse of the future ahead.  The glory days of the current interest rates may be over.  As some of the major banks in the country have indicated, interest rates may be on the rise for 2011.  This means there may be some urgency between now and at least the second quarter of next year to be able to purchase homes with the current rates still in the four percent rate. The current interest rates are still incredibly low which makes home buying very affordable. For those people who have been sitting on the side lines wondering if we have hit the bottom, I would say now is the time to take advantage!  I will tell you from my perspective of being in the mortgage business for 20 some years, it’s still a great opportunity to purchase a home.  Quit waiting and take the plunge!  Get off the fence and take advantage of great rates now!”

And I will add that many of my clients are taking advantage of the low interest rates and REFINANCING right now… who knows where the rates will be next year? And so many first time buyers are also taking advantage of the best time to buy a home in the last decade…

Just my thoughts… Desiree Zuckerman, Realtor, ABR, CHS www.dzhomes.com

Specializing in Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Bell Canyon, CA

Questions for the lender? Email Jim Doty of Tristar Mortgage at jdoty@tristarmtg.com

This question comes up constantly – “Is the media correct when predicting the real estate market?” I believe the answer is NO. Someone once told me that the media predicted 5 of the last 3 depressions… in other words, negativity & controversy sells, so that’s what the media will promote. They make everyone so nervous that in the end, it actually comes true – it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

So whom should you listen to in regards to the real estate market? THE PROFESSIONALS! You wouldn’t ask your dentist to review your taxes, and you wouldn’t ask your accountant to fill your cavity – so why would you listen to the media when it comes to one of the biggest financial decisions of your life? You should be listening to licensed Realtors & mortgage brokers in the area that you’re interested in purchasing. We live & breathe real estate. We understand what drives the market. If you want the “truth” about the real estate market, just ask US!

THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO BUY. I can tell you that the wise buyers have already jumped into the market – interest rates are historically low, & prices are back to levels we haven’t seen since the mid 2000s. Don’t wait for the foreclosures to show up – we’ve been waiting for those to appear for a few years now. The banks will not flood the market by releasing their entire inventory at once. They did that in 2008, and it made the prices drop in most areas by about 25-35%… they learned their lesson…

This letter was sent to me today by Jim Doty, VP of Tristar Mortgage:

“It’s amazing in the year 2010 we would be talking about interest rates as low as 3.99% on a 30 yr fixed and 3.5% on a 15 year fixed. As part of the baby boomer generation, I used to hear my parents talk about interest rates as low as this. In the 1950’s rates were this low. Who would have predicted 50 yrs later they would be this low again? What a great opportunity for our children and ourselves to be able to purchase homes in 2010 with these extraordinary rates! For those homeowners who have existing home loans, this is the time to upgrade your home and keep the same payments you are currently making on your home now for a better product. For our young adults there is great opportunity to purchase their 1st home with down payments as low as 3.5%. In most cases, their mortgage payment will be as low as what they are currently renting their apartment or home for now. In a time when our income taxes are on the rise, I think it is imperative for people to take all the tax advantage they can get. It is a win-win situation for people to take advantage of low rates and a tax write off. So take action now and give yourself the opportunity to take advantage of the American Dream!”

The point? As a buyer, the ball is in your court. Low rates, low prices, motivated sellers – a perfect combination. Pick the right Realtor to negotiate on your behalf, and you have the final piece to the puzzle.

Just my thoughts… Desiree Zuckerman, Realtor, ABR, CHS www.dzhomes.com (Specializing in Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Bell Canyon)

Questions for the lender? Email Jim Doty of Tristar Mortgage at jdoty@tristarmtg.com

The entire world has been riveted by the amazing “Miracle in the Mines” – we all watched with awe as 33 trapped Chilean miners were, one by one, slowly pulled to the surface & reunited with loved ones – truly a modern day miracle!

Luis Urzúa stands with Chile's president Sebastián Piñera -Picture credit to dailymail.co.uk

How does this relate to real estate? Every single day, I receive calls from homeowners who feel as though they are personally trapped in a mine – their only means of escape has collapsed on them, & time is running out. Instead of being trapped under 2,000 feet of dirt & rock, they’re trapped under a collapsing real estate market, plummeting home values, partisan politicians, & slow-moving legislation. They feel that they have been left without resources, without communication with the outside world, and without being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

What lessons can be learned from the “Miracle in the Mines” to help us survive the real estate collapse? First of all, we need to work together & support one another. We need to ask for help & not be embarrassed by our current financial situation – we are not alone! There are currently resources out there to help – the world IS coming together (slowly) to work on solutions – there’s legislation now & on the way to help make short sales easier to obtain, postpone foreclosures, encourage loan modifications, give tax relief, and provide resources to help us survive until we’re pulled to the surface.

There are rescuers waiting to pull you out… I’m one of them.  I’ve dropped “the drill bit” – you need to attach that note saying “I’m alive – save me!”. My advice is free, and if I can’t personally help you, I can refer you to someone who can. I have personally helped many homeowners facing foreclosure. Believe it or not, my main focus is to help people stay in their homes… I know that what goes around comes around, and I have been fortunate to have much success in my career – this is my time to give back. My experience is vast, & I continually educate myself in this ever changing market – I am now a Certified HAFA Specialist (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives) – a program which focuses on helping homeowners stay in their home, or providing alternatives such as short sales or deed-in-lieu options.

We may come out of this a little bit leaner, a little bit paler, but we will survive. After the mining disaster in Chile, the government requested the best resources available to get the miners out – it is very important to pick the right team of professionals to help you through this difficult market. And when we reach the surface, and see the light of day, we will know we survived a hopefully once-in-a-lifetime disaster.